ANC will seek to form government of national unity

The ANC will not opt for parties on the left nor the right as it seeks to form a “government of national unity” following last week’s electoral stalemate. Outgoing President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the decision following a day long National Executive Committee meeting that went well into the night.
Ramaphosa said the ANC will rely on experience to make the GNU work.

“We already have the experience of bringing together such diverse views that vary in political orientation and ideology,” said Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa said while the ANC fully accepts that it did not win the elections the party is proud that a significant sector of society ( 40 percent) still believe in it.

“This essentially means there can never be a solution to challenges confronting the country without the involvement of the ANC,” he said.

Ramaphosa said a team of negotiators that excludes him and his deputy Paul Mashatile is already talking to the EFF, DA, IFP and Patriotic Alliance.

The party had earlier on expressed frustration at not being unable to initiate talks with MK party but on Thursday evening the Jacob Zuma led outfit confirmed in a statement that it was ready to start formal negotiations with the ANC. Majority of the parties have already indicated willingness to work with the ANC but the DA is opposed to a coalition that involves either MK or EFF.

Ramaphosa said the ANC is convinced that a government of national unity is the best option in a series that includes picking one partner, going into the opposition benches or a re-run of the elections.